Ford recalls Mustang Mach-E and Maverick over ‘improperly attached’ seat belts

Dearborn, MI – January 7, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 2,622 vehicles over faulty seat belts that may fail to protect passengers in a crash, putting them at a higher risk of injuries in a crash.

This Ford seat belt recall centers on the following vehicles:

  • 2021 Mustang Mach-E
  • 2021 Mustang Mach-E
  • 2022 Maverick

Recall summary

The rear seat belt buckles of the recalled vehicles are not attached to the rear floor assembly in the right way. This means that the seat belt can detach under load and fail to properly protect the passenger in the event of a crash.

The component involved in this recall is the “Rear Floor Assembly” with part numbers NZ6B-E11215-A/C/D and LJ9B-R11215-AN.

Recall risks

For information on the risks of this recall, please visit our recent article about a Ford F-150 recall because of the same issue.

Other Ford recalls 

This follows the recent recall issued for 2022 Ford Maverick units over an issue with the fuel tank, which may have been pierced by drilling holes during installation of a bed liner. Any damage or puncture to the fuel tank may result in a fuel leak, which increases the risk of fire or environmental pollution, apart from compromising the vehicle’s performance.  

Meanwhile, the last Ford Mustang recall was issued in October of last year over detaching windshields. The front glass on more than 17,600 Mustang Mach-E units was not properly glued in place, presenting a safety hazard for occupants. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect and repair the seat belt buckle attachments free of charge. Owners of affected units will be notified by mail between January 17 and January 22, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 2,600 vehicles are being recalled because of this Ford seat belt issue. To do a Ford recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls Mustang Mach-E and Maverick over ‘improperly attached’ seat belts

Ford recalls Maverick pickups over fire risk

Dearborn, MI – January 5, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 5,456 2022 Ford Maverick pickup trucks due to a fuel leak, which may increase the risk of fire. This augments the risk of crash and injury to the car occupants and other motorists.

Recall summary

The recalled vehicles had been outfitted with spray-in bedliner – whose non-slip texture ensures that the cargo carried in the bed of the truck does not move around and also protects the vehicle from water and moisture damage. During the installation of the liner, the supplier responsible for putting it in cleared “bed drain holes with a drill.” The drill may have come in contact with the tank, potentially damaging it and prompting this recall.

Recall risks

Damage to the fuel tank could result in a fuel leak, subsequently increasing the risk of a fire. Fire creates a great danger for the lives of the car occupants and those around them. For tips on what to do if your truck catches fire, please visit the following article.

Warning signs

Some of the tell-tale signs of damage to the fuel tank of the Ford Maverick 2022 include noticeable fuel leak on the ground or the unusual smell of fuel from the vehicle. Additionally, those inside the vehicle should see the malfunction indicator light (MIL) being illuminated, signifying an issue that needs to be addressed.

Other Ford and Lincoln recalls

This is not the first fire-related recall that Ford has issued this year. In August 2021, Ford recalled 33,298 Lincoln Aviator SUVs due to a wiring issue that could lead to an electrical fire. While the 2022 Ford Maverick fuel leak recall is due to a supplier error,  the Lincoln Aviator SUVs recall was attributed to a design error. In both cases, car owners were alerted of an increased risk of a fire.

Separately, the 2022 Maverick is subject to another recent recall due to faulty seat belts.

Repair

To remedy the issue, Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the fuel tank for any possible damage. In cases where damage to the surface is identified, the dealer will replace the fuel tank at no cost to the car owner. Car owners should expect to receive notification letters regarding the Ford recall check from January 28, 2022 until February 4, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 5,000 Ford Maverick 2022 vehicles are potentially defective and included in this recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Sergio StephanoFord recalls Maverick pickups over fire risk

Ford recalls Transit vans that could stall or roll away

Dearborn, MI – January 2, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) has announced a recall for 4,548 2020 Ford Transit vans due to a defect that could cause the vehicle to roll away when parked or to stall while in motion. Either situation augments the risk of a crash or injury to the occupants of the van as well as other motorists.

The recall is limited to models equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD).

Recall summary

The drivetrains of these vehicles have transfer cases whose role is to “transfer power from the transmission to the front and rear axles” of the car using driveshafts. The axles are shafts that deliver power to the wheels and the whole system enables the car to move, as reported.

The driveshaft is connected with the transfer case using bolts. The bolts in the recalled cars may come “loose or become damaged,” which could cause the driveshaft to separate from the case. This would result in the car stalling in traffic or rolling away when parked if the parking brake is not engaged.

Lastly, the separation could “damage…surrounding components, such as brake lines.”

Recall risks

A vehicle that rolls away when parked may hit pedestrians or surrounding structures, putting everyone at risk. For more information on the risks of stalling while driving, please visit this article on a Nissan recall for stalling.  

If there is any damage to the brake lines, this can affect brake performance, which increases the risk of injury to the car occupants and people around them.

Warning signs

In the event that the driveshaft becomes separated, car occupants will hear “driveline noise” and will feel vibration coming from the underside of the vehicle.

More background information

The cause of this recall is still under investigation.

There are two components involved in this recall: “Bolt and washer assembly” with part number LK41-4B496-CA and the “driveshaft assembly” with multiple part numbers, including LK41-4K145-DAE and LK41-4K145-FAE.

Other Ford recalls 

There was a Ford Transit recall involving model years – including the 2021 Ford Transit van – in May of last year due to the risk of rollaway when parked, as reported. Aside from Ford van recalls, there have been at least a couple of recalls related to driveshaft issues. – One was issued just last month for close to 200,000 2020-2021 F-150 pickup trucks and another one came out in September of last year for roughly 27,000 Super Duty F-350 pickups, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will conduct an inspection of the driveshaft and will replace the driveshaft, the bolts and the relevant surrounding components, if necessary. All repairs will be conducted free of charge.   

Owners of affected units will be notified by mail between January 31 and February 4, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 4,500 vehicles are included in this Ford Transit recall. To do a Ford recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Aleksandra SnesarevaFord recalls Transit vans that could stall or roll away

Ford recalls trucks whose tailgates may open

Dearborn, MI – January 1, 2022 – Ford (NYSE: F) is recalling 57,591 2018 Ford F-150 pickup trucks whose tailgates may open on their own. This may allow the cargo to fall on the road, putting other motorists in danger.

Recall summary  

Ford trucks have latches on their tailgates that hold them in place when closed. On vehicles that are affected by this F-150 tailgate recall, the latching mechanism may unlatch under certain loads due to a design error. This allows the tailgate to open unexpectedly while driving or being stationary.

The component in question is the Tailgate Latch, with part numbers JL3A-9943150-AC and JL3A-9943150-BC. 

Recall risks

If the tailgate opens while driving, the cargo inside may slide out and drop on the road, becoming an obstacle. Other motorists may crash into it or while avoiding it, increasing the risk of an injury. Read more about the danger of road debris in this article about Land Rover fly-away spoilers.

Warning signs

The driver may notice that the tailgate is unlocked “prior to entering the vehicle.”

Other 2018 Ford F-150 recalls 

There were several previous 2018 F-150 recalls, with one from April concerning potential loss of wheel control being the latest. In addition, some of these trucks may have been affected by a March recall caused by tires prone to breakage.

Separately, newer model-years are affected by several recent recalls, including one from December for a faulty component of the drivetrain which may result in the loss of motive power and vehicle control, as well as “unintended movement” when parked.

The repair

Dealers will fix the issue by replacing the tailgate latches on both left and right sides of the vehicle. All repairs will be done free of charge. Notifications about this replacement will be sent to vehicle owners between January 31, 2022 and February 4, 2022. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This F-Series recall includes more than 50,000 vehicles. To do a Ford recall check and see if your truck is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls trucks whose tailgates may open

Ford driveshaft issues prompt F Series recall

Warren, MI – January 1, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 184,698 F-series trucks whose driveshafts – one of the most important components of a car – may fracture. This increases the risk of stall, loss of vehicle control or a rollaway.

The recall includes the following pickups:

  • 2021 Ford F-150 
  • 2022 Ford F-150 

Recall summary  

The recall centers around the trucks’ underbody insulation, as well as their driveshafts. The insulation helps dampen road noise and protect the undercarriage from moisture, scratches and salt to extend the useful life of the vehicle. Driveshafts are critical components that transfer power to the wheels, enabling the vehicle to move.

Due to a supplier error, the insulation may become loose and sag, rubbing against the driveshaft, eventually causing it to fracture.

The underbody insulator is the component in question with part numbers ML3B-1611205-AC, ML3B-1611205-BA, ML3B-1611204-AD and ML3B-1611204-BB.

Recall risks

A fractured driveshaft presents a number of concerns—the car may stall or the driver may lose control if the driveshaft snaps and drags on the ground.  The vehicle may roll away if the parking brake is not applied. All of these scenarios increase the risk of injury or a crash.

Warning signs

Drivers may notice loose underbody insulation (which looks a bit like a foil-covered mat) and hear a rattling, clicking or clunking noise. Looking at the driveshaft, they may be able to see “marking or scoring” where the insulation has been touching it.

Other Ford recalls

This is at least the second F-150 recall in the past six months due to driveshaft issues. In June, Ford recalled close to 5,000 2021 F-150 trucks due to driveshaft separation that could also cause the vehicle to roll away or stall, as reported.

Separately, in October, the manufacturer told owners of 2021 F-150 Super Cab pickup trucks not to drive their vehicles pending an inspection because of potentially faulty seat belts that may fail to provide adequate protection in the event of a crash.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the driveshaft for damage and “properly attach” the insulators. These services are free. Notifications with more instructions will be sent to owners by mail between January 31 and February 4, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 180,000 trucks are included in this Ford F-150 recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to perform a Ford recall check.

Rebecca RandFord driveshaft issues prompt F Series recall

Ford recalls SUVs over reduced braking performance

Dearborn, MI – December 12, 2021 – Ford (NYSE: F) has issued a recall for 114,996 vehicles with decreased braking performance. The issue prolongs stopping distance, upping the risk of an accident and injury.

The recall includes the following SUVs: 

  • 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
  • 2022 Ford Bronco Sport
  • 2021 Ford Escape
  • 2022 Ford Escape

Recall summary  

Vehicles that are part of this recall have rear brake pads that contain calipers whose role is to stop the car when the driver presses the brake by clamping down on the wheels.  Due to a supplier error, the calipers in the recalled vehicles do not generate sufficient friction to do that properly. As such, it may be harder to stop the car, especially if the brake booster malfunctions.

The component in question is the rear brake caliper with part numbers NX61-2D251-BNA for the left and NX61-2D250-BNA for the right one. 

Recall risks

The issue increases the risk of a crash and injury.  

Other Ford recalls 

In September, there was a Ford Bronco recall that also included 2021 Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair. The recall was caused by  the possibility of an engine stall

Last November, there was a Ford Escape recall because of a faulty rearview camera. The recall also included close to 430,000 other vehicles and was subsequently subject to scrutiny by the auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), because of its timeliness and scope, as reported.

The repair

Dealers are set to rectify the problem by replacing rear brake pads with ones that ensure sufficient friction. This solution, however, is still under development. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners between January 10 and January 14, 2022.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This recall includes more than 100,000 SUVs. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls SUVs over reduced braking performance

Ford advises owners not to drive Ranger trucks over faulty seat belts

Dearborn, MI – November 10, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has issued a recall for Ranger trucks that have been equipped with an incorrectly routed front passenger seat belt, which may increase the risk of an injury in a crash. The recall includes 47,683 2019-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab pickup trucks.

Even though the recall concerns passenger seat belts, the manufacturer advises drivers to inspect both the passenger and the driver seat belt and to NOT use the front seat or drive the car or if the respective seat belts are found to be defective.

Instructions on how to perform the inspection should be mailed next week.

The affected component is the “RH Front Outboard Seatbelt Assembly” with part number KB3B-21612D64-AL.

Recall summary

The affected vehicles are equipped with a front passenger seat belt that has not been appropriately routed. The faulty seat belt assemblies have only made their way onto the Super Cab body style Ranger models, and the Crew Cab body style has not been affected. 

Background of the recall

This is the second recall that Ford is doing for this issue this fall. Last month, the manufacturer recalled 2021 F-150 Super Cab pickup trucks. These trucks should also not be driven if the seat belts on them are not properly routed, as reported.

Recall risks

The improperly routed seat belt may not do an adequate job at restraining the occupant in the event of an accident. This can result in severe injury or even death.

Other Ford recalls

Last month, Ford recalled nearly 40,000 units of the 2020 Ford Ranger Super Cab and 2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab, whose backseat headrests are incompatible with some children’s car seats.

The last 2019 Ford Ranger recall was over a year ago.

The repair

Ford will advise owners on how to perform a self-assessment of their Ranger’s seat belts. The self-assessment will help them decide on whether either seat belt is faulty. If the driver seat belt is defective or the driver is unsure of the results or does not want to perform the assessment, the car should be towed for inspection.

If the passenger seat belts is found to be misrouted, the seat should not be occupied but the car can still be driven. Regardless of the results of the assessment, owners are advised to take their car to a dealership for a secondary inspection. Any repairs that need to be performed will be done for free.

Affected owners will be notified between November 15 and November 19, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

To find out if your vehicle is a part of this Ford recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalFord advises owners not to drive Ranger trucks over faulty seat belts

Ford recalls Ranger trucks with backrests not compatible with child seats

Dearborn, MI – October 27, 2021 – Ford  (NYSE:F) has recalled 37,625 cars whose backseat headrests are incompatible with some children’s car seats, making the seats difficult to install and improperly positioned. This increases the risk of an injury to the child in the seat if there is an accident.

The recall includes 2020 – 2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab trucks.

Recall summary  

The trucks in question have a headrest positioned in a way that makes proper installation of taller children’s car seats difficult. The headrests in the backseats of this Ford truck recall are not removable, and may tilt some childrens’ car seats out of proper position.

Federal regulations require cars to be compatible with a wide range of different types and sizes of car seats. However, this headrest design was not checked against taller car seats.

Recall risks

Childrens’ car seats save lives, but they need to be securely attached and positioned on the seat in order to work properly. Learn more about child car seat safety in this article about a recent Nissan recall,

Warning signs

Owners may notice that it is difficult to install a child car seat in the back of the Ranger.

The repair

As Ford investigated this issue, the company also discovered the anchor points used to secure children’s car seats in the car were crooked. The remedy for this recall will address both issues: Ford dealers will check the car seat anchors and replace the headrests with an updated model. Ford will send owners recall notification letters with further instructions by November 19.

Recent similar recalls

Nissan, Stellantis and Jaguar recently recalled cars over a separate issue with the seat belts that could affect the safety of some child car seats. You can read more about the Stellantis recall here.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 37,000 vehicles are included in this Ford Ranger child car seat recall. To do a Ford recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord recalls Ranger trucks with backrests not compatible with child seats

Detaching windshields prompt 2021 Ford Mustang recall

Dearborn, MI – October 24, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 17,692 Ford Mustang 2021 Mach-E SUVs whose windshields may detach, placing vehicle occupants at risk of accident or injury.

Recall summary

The recalled vehicles’ windshields may not be glued properly in place, violating federal safety standards. Ford did not disclose the cause of the problem in recall documents, but is conducting “on-going evaluations to confirm root cause” for this defect.

The company says they are unaware of any accidents or injuries resulting from these problems.

Warning signs

Ford Mach-E owners may notice the sound of wind whistling through the sides of the front windshield or water leaking around the edges.

Recall risks

Windshields that are not securely glued in place are at risk of cracking or even falling out of their frames. Occupants of the car could be injured by flying glass or other debris and may result in a crash. Additionally, unsecured windshields increase the chance of injury in an accident.

Other Ford recalls

In March, Ford recalled nearly 80,000 F-series trucks in February over loose windshields that were also poorly glued to the car. Unlike this recall, the cause was a known issue with primers and paints. 

Earlier this month, over 13,000 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E were also recalled for the same issue—inadequate urethane bonding—affecting their panoramic glass roof panels.

There is potentially some overlap between the two recalls as the total number of 2021 Mach Es sold in the U.S. as of the end of September was plus the stock at the dealerships or in transit was around 23,855. However, the sum of two recalls is around 31,326 meaning that over 7,000 cars are likely subject to both recalls.

Repair

Dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield for free, using proper gluing procedures to ensure the windshield is secure. Owners should receive a notification letter with further instructions between October 27 and November 3.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 17,000 Mustangs are included in this Ford recall. To do a Ford recall check use MotorSafety.org’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandDetaching windshields prompt 2021 Ford Mustang recall

Ford recalls Mustangs with fly-away roof panels

Dearborn, MI – October 16, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 13,544 vehicles with a glass roof panel that may fly off the vehicle while driving, potentially injuring other motorists.

The recall affects 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E SUVs.

Recall summary  

Recalled Mustang Mach Es may have a panoramic glass roof panel that is improperly secured to the roof of the car. Internal inspections by Ford revealed that some of the panel’s urethane glue was “inadequate” to hold the glass to the roof, increasing the hazard of glass flying off the vehicle.

The company does not know as of yet why or how this happened; however, with factory records, they were able to determine which Mustang Mach-Es require inspection and repair..

Recall risks

Much like the recent Mercedes-Benz sunroof recall, the flyaway glass panels pose a threat of striking other drivers and becoming a potentially dangerous obstacle in the road. Read more about the risks posed by road debris in this article about Land Rover’s fly-away spoiler recall.

Warning signs

If the Ford Mustang Mach-E has an unsecured glass roof panel, drivers may hear a “wind noise” while driving or notice that water is leaking through the roof. 

The repair

Ford and Lincoln dealers will fix the faulty roofs for free, cleaning the window frame and the glass, and applying additional glue to hold it in place. Ford will send owners notification letters in the mail detailing how and where to get repairs starting October 27.

Recent fly-away roof recalls

Unfortunately, unsecured roof panels are not uncommon. Tesla also recently recalled cars with fly-away roof panels due a problem with the adhesive used to attach the panels.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 13,000 vehicles are included in this Ford Mustang recall. Check for Ford recalls with MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord recalls Mustangs with fly-away roof panels